Chess Puzzle #1h8be — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; bishops e4/e7; pawns a2/b3/e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook a7; bishops b8/e6; knight g4; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe7 — rook a7→e7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1b4k1/r3Bpp1/p3b2p/1p6/4BPn1/1P2P3/P5PP/3R2K1 b - - 2 28

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